Toronto Raptors Keep Proving Everyone Wrong

Toronto Raptors Keep Proving Everyone Wrong

The Raptors are sharing and caring. Quickly gets the screen. Nice wraparound pass. Immediately into another action that sets up a nice driving lane down the middle. Scotty Barnes setting a screen for Quickly, but he realizes the cutting lane is open. R.J. stares down the corner, opening up the pass to Scotty Barnes. And now you got a one-on- two situation. After a stop, they’re pushing the pace. And guess what? You got Drummond on quickly. That’s a matchup you like. Opening up the cutting Yaka Purle smartly. He doesn’t force the jump shot. He kicks it out to the three-point shooter. Another quick pass and now it’s a butt naked open look. Now Ingram has a smaller Coanthony on him. So Bobby Portor just has to help. Kick to Grady Dick. He beats the close out. Attracts Giannis. Kick to the corner. Quick swing. Another swing and a free threepointer. Now you got Grady running off of a screen. They pass to him and then right back to Quickly. Grady has not stopped moving. And then immediately into a pick and roll. A smooth pocket pass to the roller. And now you got a one-on- two situation. A pass to Grady is available, but he opts for his signature floater. As I’m recording this video, the Toronto Raptors are averaging 30.1 assists per game. Currently, that has them rank fourth in the NBA. And also, they aren’t turning the ball over much. 14.2 turnovers per game, ranking fifth as of now. for me during their win streak. That’s what’s popping off the screen. I’m constantly thinking in my head, my goodness, look at the ball movement. That’s beautiful. The player movement is great as well. It turns out, you go on NBA.com, put in play type. The Raptors are leading the league in points per possession in the handoff category. And also, they are ranked second off of screens. This offensive system is working very well right now. They currently have 117.8 8 offensive rating, which is tied for seventh with the San Antonio Spurs. In my opinion, Scotty Barnes has been the key to everything. Out of their best players like Brandon Ingram, Barnes, Quickley, RJ Barrett, Purle, he has the highest net rating. The Raptors have done a good job changing his role a bit. He has less on his plate. It turns out 62% of his shots this season are assisted compared to last season where 49% of his shots were assisted. He was just doing too much creating on that end of the floor. And now he has ample energy to do everything. And I mean everything. Here he’s guarding a center and they try to post him up. Absolutely not. Now he’s helping on the perimeter. The on ball defender gets screened. Looks like a free three. Nope. As you can tell in this spot, he’s in heavy help. But trust me, he has the ability to quickly close out if Donovan Mitchell makes that pass. And Donovan Mitchell knows this. So he drives. And guess what? Scotty Barnes with another block. He’s currently averaging 1.7 blocks per game and has a total of 26 blocks. That’s tied with Miles Turner and Rudy Goar. On top of that, he’s averaging 1.4 steals per game. He’s just an amazing team defender, always in the right spots, always ready to help his teammates if they get screened or something like that. And when he’s stuck on an island, someone’s isoing him, you don’t got to worry about helping him too much because most likely he’s going to get the job done. Simply put, he’s been one of the best defenders in the NBA this season, and he’s on track to make an alldefensive team. The name of his game is versatility. On the offensive end of the floor, it’s the same thing. Give him the rock in transition, he can get you a bucket. The Raptors are a large team. Naturally, he’s going to get mismatches, and when that happens, he can abuse them. He can be a roll man in the pick and roll, no problem. He’s also averaging 2.1 offensive rebounds per game. He’s arguably the best passer on the team and he can do it in multiple ways. Abusing a mismatch, causing multiple defenders on him, then kicking to his open teammate, running the dribble handoff, rolling to the rim, and just a quick instinct pass here. How about he grabs the rebound and initiates the fast break leading to an easy basket. Oh, on top of all that, he’s been efficient from the three-point line, 38.9% on 3.6 attempts per game, 19 points, 7.8 8 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game. He’s he’s doing everything. One steal, one block as well. Then around him, you got three bucket getters. Brandon Ingram averaging 20.9 points per game on 49% from the field. He’s a guy you can go to in the fourth quarter and he can take over. RJ Barrett also averaging 19.3 points per game, 50% from the field. Emanuel Quickley also averaging 15.9 points per game, 46% from the field, and 38% from three on 6.5 attempts per game. And let me tell you, the whole entire season turned around when Quickly started playing good basketball. He started off the season very slow. But lately, he’s been on fire. And when all of them are jelling, it’s a scary sight because Brandon Ingram elite in the mid-range off the dribble. RJ Barrett is just relentless as a driver. He constantly is putting pressure on that rim and quickly. He’s very key in this scenario because he’s the guy who’s going to create space. He’s flying off screens. He’s a threat to pull up from three at any point in time. He’s even got the step back in his bag. But I’ll tell you, probably the most underrated part of this team right now is their complimentary pieces. They fit like a glove next to their best players. Yaka Purle is currently shooting 73% from the field and 53% on floaters. Jamal Shed off the bench is one of the best onball defenders in the entire NBA. On top of that, he’s averaging 5.1 assists per game to just 1.3 turnovers. And then you got Grady Dick who’s just a great connected piece because he’s always moving. He’s a threat to shoot from deep. He’s a threat to get hot from deep at any point in time. And on top of that, he makes quick decisions with the basketball passing wise. Then you got Sandro Mamu, who can basically do everything. A small ball five, 42% from three so far. He’s got pop off the dribble. He can make the right pass if needed. And defensively, he’s giving a ton of effort and he can guard multiple positions and protect the rim. And lastly, don’t forget the rookie Colin Murray Boils. He’s terrific defensively. He’s low-key just kind of a Walmart version of Scotty Barnes. Now, I think it’s time to give credit to their head coach, Darko. Despite him reminding me of the despicable me villain, he seems like a very lovable guy. Clearly, his players like him and they are buying into the team oriented system. Now, there was a lot of poverty last year for the Toronto Raptors, but they still shared the basketball. It turns out they were second only behind the Golden State Warriors in assist percentage. That right there was building the foundation for this season because unfortunately they just did not have the talent in 2024 due to injuries and things like that. I’ve seen a lot of their naysayers say, “Oh, they’re winning because their schedule has been relatively easy, but currently they are six and four against teams with above 500 records.” The only teams with six wins in that category is the Detroit Pistons and the Chicago Bulls. Just like all good teams, they’re feasting on below 500 competition. As of now, 4-1 record. Look at the best team in the NBA, the Thunder. 11-1 against below 500 competition. That’s what good teams do. Beat the bad teams and then have a 50/50 shot against the good teams. Coming into the season, I just felt like the Raptors were unpredictable. I saw it going either way, but so far I’m pleasantly surprised. And if they keep playing like this, they’re definitely going to be at the top of the East. Hopefully they stay healthy. Let me know your thoughts below as well.

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